The Netherlands
The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy in which the government has reduced its role since the 1980s. Industrial activity is predominantly in food-processing (for example Unilever and Heineken International), chemicals (for example DSM), petroleum refining (for example Royal Dutch Shell), and electrical machinery (for example Philips).
The Netherlands has the 16th largest economy in the world, and ranks 10th in GDP (nominal) per capita. Between 1998 and 2000 annual economic growth (GDP) averaged nearly 4%, well above the European average. Growth slowed considerably in 2001-05 due to the global economic slowdown, but accelerated to 4.1% in the third quarter of 2007. Inflation is 1.3% and is expected to stay low at around 1.5% in the coming years. Unemployment is at 4.0% of the labour force. By Eurostat standards however, unemployment in the Netherlands is at only 2.9% - the lowest rate of all European Union member states.
Panel stats Netherlands
- 18,000 panelists
- 50 - 55% response rate
Capital
- Amsterdam (52° 22' 12,7" N, 04° 53' 25,6" E)
Area
Population
- 16.570.613 (Juli 2007)
- Density: 484/km²
GDP (PPP), 2005 estimate
- Total: $603,711 millionen
- Per capita: $36,937
Internet Usage
- 14,544,400 Internet users for Dec./05
- 87.8% penetration
sources: Wikipedia, www.internetworldstats.com